Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Winter’s Magic series by L. Starla
SYNOPSIS:
The Winter’s Magic series is the story of Alannah Winters, a strong woman who discovers her mystical heritage at the age of sixteen. During her journey, she uncovers secrets of the magic world while learning to use her powers to fight the monsters seeking to destroy her soul.
While the precocious heroine embraces her magical destiny, she also navigates the twisted paths of love and intimacy. With both of her cousins vying for her attention, Alannah has a choice to make, one that will break hearts for years to come.
This saga tells a tale that spans the phases of Alannah’s life, from her maiden years, through motherhood, and into her twilight as a wise and powerful crone.
Beyond the six core titles, L. Starla will release two other related books in this series:
Winter’s Thrall (Part 2.5) which follows Brendan as he embarks on a collision course with organised crime, a God, and his own magical doppelganger; and,
Winter’s Bride (Part 4.5)—a spin-off for a young woman who you meet in Winter’s Mother 1. Neve has everything except a happy home life. Struggling under the thumb of an abusive husband, she will be given the opportunity to escape. But will she have the courage to leave him? And will she give an old flame a second chance?
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
This series is paranormal romance and magical realism that draws on the several tropes including a “human” protagonist with hidden magical powers, a supernatural world invisible to mundane people, love triangles, magical barriers to love, and fated mates.
I decided upon the genre before I started writing, but the characters lead me to the tropes and much of the story that unfolds.
Are you more character or plot driven?
When writing the Winter’s Magic series, I weave the characters and plot together so tightly that it is hard to tell what drives me more.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I keep track using a character bible. I create detailed profiles for my primary and secondary characters and list the names of everyone who appears in the background.
The profiles contain lots of data like their background intel, physical appearance, personality types, fears, motivations, relationships, hobbies, and tastes etc.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
Absolutely! Alannah and Brendan practically wrote the story for me. I did plot and outline each book before drafting them, but my protagonists took over and threw my initial plans out the window.
Are any of the male or female POVs based on anyone you know?
No, these characters are all completely fictitious.
Was there any one scene that was harder to write about than the others?
The hardest scene I have written in the series so far is in Winter’s Maiden 2 when a misunderstanding tears two lovers apart. I literally cried as I typed those harrowing words.
What is your favourite book in the series?
Winter’s Thrall is my favourite so far because it focusses on Brendan—my favourite character and book boyfriend. It is also very steamy.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favourites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favourite character and why?
Brendan Winters is by far my favourite character. He is flirtatious, fun, and sexy.
Who is your favourite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
***Spoiler Warning***
Bralannah (Brendan and Alannah) are my favourite couple.
Their love is epic, burning slow at first, before exploding and sending them into a whirlwind of conflict and second chances. I decided upon their dynamics at the series concept because I knew fate would bring them together in the end.
How do you get inside these character’s heads to find their perfect HEA?
Through developing three dimensional characters I have become so familiar with them that I know their strengths, weakness, and deepest desires. This helps me pair my couples with their ideal match.
Just don’t expect all the HEAs until the final book of the series.
What scene in this series sticks out the most for you? Why?
There are lots of scenes that stick out for various reasons. Here are my top three:
Beltane in Winter’s Maiden 2. This is when Bralannah consummate their love. I worked up to this scene from the hints dropped during book 1 and I spent hours visualising how it would come together.
Brendan and Bridey’s public display on moving day in Winter’s Thrall. This was my first attempt at writing an explicit sex scene. Prior to this I kept the details to a minimum with fade to black type scenes.
The Volcano expedition in Winter’s Mother 1. This scene introduces Danny who becomes important later, but it is also an exciting and climactic moment that ramps up the pace of the story.
Were any of the books harder to write than others?
Not especially. That said, I am only halfway through writing them and I imagine Winter’s Bride will be difficult due to the heavy theme of domestic abuse.
This question is if you write in MULTIPLE POVs not just the hero and heroine - I love the multiple POVs in a book. It’s not just the hero and heroine, but we get inside the heads of multiple characters throughout this series. I feel that it gives the story further depth. Do you think you will write another book or series following this multiple POV outline?
I agree that multiple Points of View provide depth and give a broader picture of where different people are coming from. I especially love writing scenes in the villains’ POVs, which I have done several times throughout the Winter’s Magic series.
How long did it take you to write this series?
I’m still writing this series!
The concept came to me back in 2019 when I spent several months researching mythology, pagan practices, and Celtic history.
From there I started creating the magic lore and setting, both of which have evolved since.
The first book took me about two months to draft, then another two to edit. This has been my average writing time for subsequent books, although Winter’s Mother 2 is taking a bit longer with all the other stuff going on in my life.
How did you come up with the title for your books and series?
The six core titles occurred to me while I was conducting my initial research. At first, I planned a trilogy, but my ideas expanded beyond my original scope.
The Winter’s part refers to the main characters’ family name which comes from their link to the Celtic goddess Cailleach: the divine hag and creator of winter. Maiden represents Alannah’s stage of life and ties in with the pagan concept of the triple goddess: The Maiden, The Mother, and The Crone. The series follows Alannah’s progression through each of these stages.
While workshopping title ideas for Brendan’s book, my husband suggested Winter’s Thrall, so I went with it. It works well because Bridey—the villain/antihero—enthrals her victims through coercion and magical compulsion.
If you met these characters in real life, would you get along?
Depends on the characters we are talking about. Alannah and Brendan? Yes, I’m sure I would. Liam—not so much.
Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
From the onset, I knew I was writing a series, although it has grown from the trilogy I originally planned.
The core books double during my first draft of Winter’s Maiden 1. Then Brendan demanded his own book while I wrote Winter’s Maiden 2. As for Winter’s Bride? The idea for this came to me as I wrote Winter’s Mother 1.
If your series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
I would love to employ the following cast:
Katie McGrath as Alannah
Ian Somerhalder as Brendan and Tyler
Chris Hemsworth as Liam
Gaspard Ulliel with long hair as Austin
Anne Hathaway with platinum blonde hair as Tara
Rachel McAdams as Monique
Daniel Craig as Kieran
Bonnie Wright as Cara
Charles Melton with red hair as Jacob
Ben Barnes with long hair as Caleb
Elizabeth Gillies as Bridey
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
Winter’s Mother 1 is the next book in the series, releasing 19th November 2022. This book is set sixteen years after the events of Winter’s Maiden 2. Here’s a small taste…
Alannah collapsed against the kitchen bench and exhaled a long, drawn-out sigh. Breathe, woman. Neve is finally at school. She could not remember the last time their morning routine had been such an ordeal. Then again, it was her first day in the senior school and Neve was dressing to impress. As a kid herself, Alannah had hated the idea of school uniforms, but as a parent, she could appreciate their merit. Not that Gaeilge High would ever implement anything so convenient.
Coffee. That’s what I need. She switched on the machine and stared into nothingness as it brewed her espresso. I do hope things start to get easier soon, so I can go back to ignoring mornings altogether. Taking her drink to the lounge, she curled up on the sofa. She tuned into a news network for the latest on the Melbourne volcano.
The doorbell ringing startled Alannah awake. Shit! When did I doze off? It was already after 2pm. She wasted a full day when she should have been working. Who am I kidding? There’s no way I could have focused with everything going on. The door chimed again. I hope they aren’t a new client. She had not dressed for a business meeting, instead wearing her faded black short shorts and favourite old t-shirt with the whiskey logo. Should I pretend I’m not home? The visitor then resorted to knocking next and Alannah sighed. Smoothing down her hair with her hands, she stepped up to answer.
Nothing could have prepared her for what, or rather who, waited beyond the threshold. ‘Hello Lana.’
Snapping out of her daze, Alannah threw the door shut. But he caught it with his foot and barged into the house. How did he unlock the security screen? Someone squealed. For a moment she thought the sound came from Neve’s room until she realised it was her own voice. Planting her feet in the middle of the corridor, she blocked Brendan’s path. ‘Get. Out.’
‘It’s so good to see you too, sweetheart.’
Alannah seethed inside. He knew how much she hated that so-called term of endearment. Of all people, he understood better than anyone the trauma she had overcome: the most horrid man alive had used the word as part of his torture. There was a time when it had even triggered panic attacks. ‘What are you doing here, Brendan?’
‘I had some business to attend to in town.’
‘Good for you. Doesn’t explain why you are in my house. I can’t imagine it has anything to do with your life of crime and dark magic.’
‘A bold assumption. There are plenty of ways I could use you in dark magic.’ He leered at her.
Those words almost tripped her up. She hated the way her toes curled, and her core thrummed in response to his veiled threat. Fuck! Traitorous hormones. I so need to get laid. Crossing her arms over her chest, she worked hard to remain aloof. I will not let him think he can get to me again. ‘What do you want?’
‘Actually, you were right, this is not a business call. I have a family matter to discuss.’
‘Sorry, Liam’s not here. You can find him at the police station. Now if you don’t mind, I have a life to get back to wasting.’ She turned and strode down the hall.
Much to her annoyance, Brendan followed her. ‘I wasn’t talking about him. I meant our family, Lana.’
© 2022 L. Starla
BIO
L. Starla is
an Australian author who often raided her mother's shelves for any form of
fiction she could get her hands on. Her first love was the horror genre, but
she owes her love affair with the romance novel to her high-school English
teacher, who started her on the classics.
Given her
earlier reading, magical realism and paranormal romance were a natural progression.
Along with steamy romance, these are the genres she writes.
Starla also loves spending her spare time playing tabletop and video games, paper crafting, singing, dancing, and watching anime.
Connect w/ L Starla:
Website
& Blog:
www.starlaarts.com
Newsletter:
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Facebook
Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/l.starlareadersgroup
Goodreads:
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BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-starla
Amazon Author Profile:
https://amzn.to/3wWySLi
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lstarlaauthor/
Facebook:
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Twitter:
https://twitter.com/LStarla2019
Brendan Winters, enchanter mage, playboy, and consummate maker of poor life choices, has outdone himself once again.
In a moment of weakness, Brendan struck a deal that turned his life upside down. The filth he first witnessed in Bridey's den of sin was just the tip of the iceberg. As her new favourite, Brendan is thrust into a world of debauchery where he learns there is no limit to his mistress' depravity. So, when the opportunity to undermine her authority presents itself, he jumps in headfirst.
Sent to investigate a Cult of dark mages with their roots in Ancient Egypt, Brendan embarks on a collision course with organised crime, a God, and his own magical doppelganger. Yet, none of this cloak and daggers business blindsides him more than the companion he finds in the very house of his captor.
What lengths will Brendan go to for a chance to reclaim his freedom?
Note: This book directly follows the events of Winter's Maiden 2, so it is advisable to read that before starting this story.
Warning: Winter's Thrall is a dark paranormal romance with strong sexual content that blurs the lines of consent. It also includes graphic m/m, BDSM, and incest scenes. Feel free to skip ahead to Winter's Mother 1, the next main entry in the series, if such matters are likely to offend or be a psychological trigger.
True love has the power to rise from the ashes.
An ancient power awakens, and everything is burning. With humanity on the brink of destruction, the Council makes a dicey decision that puts the entire magic community at risk: they invite humans to their own farewell party.
War is raging outside, and Cailleach Estate is one of the few safehouses in the state. Things get awfully cosy when Alannah bunkers down with her friends and several refugees from Mt. Gambier. With cabin fevers rising, old grudges flaring to life, and lustful desires blazing, this house becomes hotter than the fires scorching the land.
But Alannah Winters detests hiding. She is a fighter. And she will do anything to protect the people she loves.
Note: This is the fourth of six main books in the Winter's Magic series, and it directly follows the events of Winter's Mother 1.
Warning: This book contains coarse language, and explicit scenes, including steamy m/m/f and m/f/f romance, that may upset or offend some readers.
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